Ears are designed to be self cleaning and it normally produces earwax to prevent problems from occurring. Earwax gradually makes its way out of your ears completely by itself. Many people use ear buds or cotton buds in a hurry to clean their ears. This lead to more earwax build-up or impacted ear wax instead of ear cleaning.
That’s why for most part, ear cleaning should be handled by a professional. But in certain scenarios, learning how to keep your ears clean can be very helpful when using eardrops or solutions.
How to clean your ears safely?
You may have seen all types of methods and measures out there for different ear cleaners. But it is not guaranteed that all of them are a safe way of cleaning your ears from a build-up of earwax. We always advise you to seeing a professional, but here are some useful ear cleaning advice and measures that you should know.
Professional Ear Cleaning
Professional ear cleaning at is the clinical “gold standard” for hearing health. Moving beyond risky ear wax removal at home, our specialists use advanced microsuctioning ear wax technology. This precise ear suction method is the best way to remove ear wax without the discomfort of traditional ear irrigation and ear buds.
Can I remove ear wax at home?
Sorry, we strongly advise you to not remove ear wax at home as there is high risk of causing permanent damage to your ears. There is a rule that asks people to never use anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. We would never advise that you try any method of earwax removal at home. You could use a warm flannel to wipe around the ears to clear away any excess ear wax. But we recommend visiting a hearing expert first.
What is the best way to clean ears?
The best way to clean your ears is to let them to do what they naturally do. Likewise, they produce enough earwax naturally to keep your ears safe. If you produce high amount of earwax, there are things you can do at home to keep them in good condition before you visit a hearing expert.
Can you clean your ears at home using ear cleaning drops?
For medium cases of earwax build-up your pharmacist or GP recommends that you use eardrops to prevent it from drying. You’ll most likely have to do this for a few days, after which the earwax should fall out naturally.
You should always speak to an audiology professional before putting anything in your ears and always read the leaflet supplied with any drops.
Are cotton buds safe to use?
Cotton buds pose a lot of unnecessary threat to your ears and shouldn’t be used as an ear cleaner. Cotton buds actually push earwax deeper into your ear canal and it’s best that you avoid it entirely.
Are at-home earwax removal kits safe?
Before using any at-home earwax removal kit, it is vital to seek expert hearing advice. A qualified audiologist at an ear clinic can provide the safest guidance on removing earwax without risking damage to your ear canal. While ear drops for wax like olive oil are often recommended to soften buildup, DIY tools can sometimes push wax deeper.
How often should you clean your ears?
Our ears are remarkably self-cleaning, so regular ear cleaning is usually unnecessary. In most cases, it is best to let the natural process work. Earwax (cerumen) plays a crucial role in ear health; it is naturally anti-bacterial and protects the delicate skin inside the ear. Therefore, professional ear cleaning is only necessary when the wax becomes impacted or causes discomfort.
When to seek professional earwax removal?
You should only consider earwax removal if you are experiencing symptoms of excessive earwax that affect your daily life. Common signs that you need a hearing expert include:
- Itchy ears or irritation
- A persistent feeling of fullness in the ear
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- A sudden or gradual change in hearing
- Dizziness
- Earache or ear pain
If you naturally produce a high volume of wax, you may be more susceptible to blockages. A specialist can perform microsuction ear wax removal and advise you on a personalized schedule for ear suction to keep your hearing clear.
Advice on Ear Candles
The intention behind ear candling is that it creates negative pressure by burning a hollow candle to draw earwax out of the ear canal. However, there is very little clinical evidence to suggest that ear candling is an effective or safe method of removing earwax.
Our professional advice is to steer clear of ear candling and instead seek specialist advice from a pharmacist or a hearing expert. Choosing microsuction ear wax removal or professional ear irrigation is the gold standard for safety. These clinical methods provide immediate comfort and are performed by experts using the latest technology.
Any advice to people who wear hearing aids?
Earwax can often prevent hearing aids from working to their full potential by blocking the receivers or causing feedback (whistling). Because of this, regular ear cleaning and maintenance are essential for any hearing aid user. Scheduling a yearly ear check-up or a professional hearing test is a great way to ensure your devices and your ears stay in top condition.
At London Ear Care, we specialize in microsuction ear wax removal, the safest method for cleaning your ears. Whether you prefer a clinic visit or a home visit for ear wax removal, getting a professional assessment is the best way to maintain your long-term ear health.
If you notice a sudden change in hearing or experience symptoms of excessive earwax, book an appointment to find out which treatment is right for you.